Hybrid kayak and canoe self-propelled watercraft

ABSTRACT

A self-propelled watercraft including a buoyant hull having a bow, a stern opposite the bow, and a gunwale extending in a curved, substantially planar, and spaced apart path around the hull from the bow to the stern, the hull having an open deck separated by bulkheads defining a plurality of open cavities, a cockpit formed from projections of the hull in one of the open cavities and a seat formed from the hull in the cockpit providing a seating surface.

BACKGROUND

Self-propelled watercraft provide means for traveling on water using human power. Examples of self-propelled watercraft include kayaks, canoes and rowboats. Self-propulsion may be accomplished through the use of hand paddles, paddles mounted to the watercraft and coupled to foot or hand pedals, or oars pivotally mounted to the watercraft.

Examples of self-propelled watercraft are found in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,227,272; 4,229,850; 4,589,365; 4,715,311; 4,799,446; 5,172,646; 5,189,974; 5,460,551; 6,112,692; 6,152,063; 6,263,827; 6,371,042; 6,745,716; 6,860,223; 6,871,611; 7,021,234; 7,032,531; D400,155; D390,284; and D391,916, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference for all purposes.

SUMMARY

A self-propelled watercraft including an elongated buoyant hull having two side walls that join at a bow, a stern, and a keel on an underside of the watercraft, the sidewalls terminating as gunwales a spaced apart distance from the keel, an open deck separated by bulkheads into a plurality of open cavities, a cockpit formed in one of the open cavities from projections of the hull, and a seat formed from the hull in the cockpit having a substantially horizontal seating surface set at a height below the gunwales where at least a portion of a user's ribs lie below the gunwales when seated.

In addition, a self-propelled watercraft including a buoyant hull having a bow, a stern opposite the bow, and a gunwale extending in a curved, substantially planar, and spaced apart path around the hull from the bow to the stern, the hull having an open deck separated by bulkheads defining a plurality of open cavities, a cockpit formed from projections of the hull in one of the open cavities and a seat formed from the hull in the cockpit providing a seating surface.

Moreover, a self-propelled watercraft including a buoyant hull having an open deck and bulkheads defining a plurality of open cavities, the hull being bounded by an edge extending around the hull in a substantially horizontal plane, and wherein one or more of the bulkheads are configured to receive the hull of an other watercraft in a complimentary stacking arrangement.

The present disclosure is directed to a self-propelled watercraft including a buoyant hull, a gunwale surrounding the buoyant hull, bulkheads defining cavities, and a cockpit formed in one of the cavities. In some examples, the watercraft includes a seat formed from the hull set at a height below the gunwales where at least a portion of a user's ribs lie below the gunwales when seated. In some examples, the watercraft includes an open deck. In some examples, the watercraft includes bulkheads configured to receive the hull of another watercraft in a complimentary stacking arrangement.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a self-propelled watercraft.

FIG. 2 is a top, endwise view of the self-propelled watercraft of FIG. 1 with a bow in the foreground.

FIG. 3 is a top, endwise view of the self-propelled watercraft of FIG. 1 with a stern in the foreground.

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary top view of the cockpit portion of the self-propelled watercraft of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a partially cut away view from the side of the self-propelled watercraft of FIG. 1, with a sidewall removed.

FIG. 6 is a bottom, endwise view of the self-propelled watercraft of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As shown in FIG. 1, a self-propelled watercraft 10 typically includes a buoyant hull 12 providing the requisite buoyancy to float on water. In the example depicted in FIG. 1, hull 12 is shaped as a hybrid canoe and kayak to derive certain features from each type of watercraft. Hull 12 may include sidewalls 14, a bow 16, a stern 18, a keel 20 and a gunwale 22.

Hull 12 normally has length, width and height dimensions that conform to certain ratios between them. In an exemplary and non-exclusive example, hull 12 has a length of approximately 12 feet, a width of approximately 2.5 feet, and a height of approximately 1.5 feet. In another exemplary and non-exclusive example, hull 12 has a length of approximately 14 feet with the other dimensions remaining approximately the same. The width of hull 12 may be between 1.7 and 1.9 times its height and the length may be between 8.5 and 10.0 times its height.

Rotational molding techniques are typically used to create hull 12 and other molded features of watercraft 10. To create hull 12 using rotational molding, a material, such as polypropylene, may be added to a heated, hollow mold. As the hull material melts, the mold is normally rotated and the material conforms to the interior shape of the mold. After the material has fully melted, the mold is normally cooled to solidify the material into the shape of the mold. For structural integrity, kiss-off molding techniques may be used to bridge between adjacent surfaces of watercraft 10.

Sidewalls 14 provide structural rigidity to watercraft 10 as well as define its overall shape. As shown in FIGS. 1-5, sidewalls 14 extend from bow 16 to stern 18 and from keel 20 to gunwale 22. Gunwale 22 typically defines the terminal edge of sidewalls 14 and sidewalls 14 normally join together at keel 20. Sidewalls 14 transition to keel 20 through one or more chines 23, sometimes referred to as a soft chine. However, in some examples (not shown) sidewalls 14 transition to keel 20 through a single, hard chine.

As shown in FIGS. 1-3, self-propelled watercraft 10 typically has an open deck 24 separated by bulkheads 26 into a number of cavities 28. An open deck refers to the absence of an upper deck, which is found on some kayaks extending across their gunwales. An upper deck would enclose cavities 28 were one present. In the example depicted in FIGS. 1-3, bulkheads 26 extend across hull 12 and join with each sidewall 14 to provide crosswise structural integrity. Bulkheads 26 normally are extensions of hull 12 and thus are also buoyant.

In addition to providing crosswise structural integrity, bulkheads 26 typically provide vertical structural integrity. As discussed more fully below, in some examples another watercraft is stacked on top of watercraft 10. In these examples, bulkheads 26 are configured to support the entire weight of the other watercraft.

In the depicted examples, a cockpit 30 is formed in one of cavities 28 from projections of hull 12 in which a user may sit and control watercraft 10. With reference to FIG. 4, cockpit 30 may include numerous features such as a seat 32, a backrest 34 and a backrest adjustment mechanism 36. Further, cockpit 30 may include a footrest 38 and a footrest adjustment mechanism 40. Additionally or alternatively, cockpit 30 may include a hatch 42, a cup holder 44 and a pocket 46.

Seat 32 typically has a substantially horizontal seating surface on which a user may sit. In some examples, such as that shown in FIGS. 1-5, seat 32 is molded from hull 12, but in other examples seat 32 is separate from hull 12 and attached thereto. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, seat 32 is normally set a certain distance below gunwale 22. Further, seat 32 may also be set a certain distance above a floor of the cockpit. In a preferred example, seat 32 is set below gunwale 22 a distance such that at least a portion of a user's ribs lie below gunwale 22 and a distance above the floor such that seat 32 is above a user's heel. A certain degree of stability may be obtained by setting the seat height a certain distance below gunwale 22, thereby lowering the center of gravity of the watercraft. As a result, the width of the watercraft is correspondingly reduced while still maintaining a satisfactory degree of stability in the water during operation.

In the examples depicted in the figures, backrest 34 is pivotally attached to cockpit 30 adjacent to seat 32 for supporting a user's back when seated on seat 32. Backrest 34 may pivot between a stowed position and a support position. In the stowed position, shown in dotted lines in FIG. 5, backrest 34 lies substantially flush with seat 32 to facilitate compact storage and transport of the watercraft. In the support position, shown in solid lines in FIG. 5, backrest 34 contacts and supports a user's back when the user is seated on seat 32.

Backrest adjustment mechanism 36 may be provided for adjusting the pivot angle of backrest 34. In a preferred example, backrest adjustment mechanism 36 comprises a buckle (not pictured) and a strap 50 connecting to backrest 34 and hull 12. Typically, the length of strap 50 fixes the pivot angle of backrest 34 and the length is adjusted with the buckle in a conventional manner. Any elongate, tension bearing member, such as a rope or a strap coupled with a locking device, such as a buckle, a button, or a ratchet cam may be used.

Cockpit 30 may include a footrest 38 for supporting a user's foot and leg while operating watercraft 10. In a preferred example shown in FIG. 4, footrest 38 includes a support 52 projecting from sidewall 14 in which a user can place his foot. In some examples, footrest 38 is molded to sidewall 14 and in other examples footrest 38 is a separate component that is attached to sidewall 14. Support 52 typically includes a surface 54 selected to provide a slip-resistant interface between a user's foot and support 52.

Optionally, a footrest adjustment mechanism 40 is provided in cockpit 30 for adjusting the position of footrest 38. As shown in FIG. 5, footrest adjustment mechanism 40 normally includes a rail 56 mounted to sidewall 14 and a position selection device 58. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, footrest 38 may slide along rail 56 to various positions closer and farther from the user. A user may use position selection device 58 to lock footrest 38 into a desired position along rail 38. Position selection device 58 typically includes a locking pin, a detent mechanism, a screw down friction surface, or any other suitable mechanism to position footrest 38 in a desired position along rail 56.

In some examples, cockpit 30 includes a hatch 42 for storing items therein. As can be seen in FIGS. 1, 2 and 4, hatch 42 is normally defined by a hatch cavity 60 formed in hull 12 and a lid 62 enclosing hatch cavity 60. Lid 62 provides selective access to hatch cavity 60 and resists the entry of water into hatch cavity 60. Hatch 42 typically provides substantially dry storage for items despite the presence of water in cockpit 30.

Cockpit 30 optionally includes a cup holder 44 for storing items, such as beverage containers. Cup holder 44 is normally molded from hull 12 in cockpit 30 to form an open cavity in which a beverage container may be placed. Cup holder 44 is typically circular in shape with annular walls extending from the bottom of cup holder 44 a distance sufficient to support a beverage container in a manner that resists tipping of the container.

A pocket 46 may be provided in cockpit 30 for storing items. Pocket 46 is typically mounted to sidewall 14 in cockpit 30 in a position accessible to a user while seated on seat 32. In the examples depicted in the figures, pocket 46 includes a resilient material with at least one opening such that items may be placed inside and retained by pocket 46.

Additionally or alternatively to cockpit 30, one or more of cavities 28 may include a storage area 64 as shown in FIGS. 1-3. Storage area 64 normally provides space to store items, such as, gear, food, or supplies. Optionally, storage area 64 includes a cover 66 for securing items within storage area 64. Cover 66 may be a resilient material, such as an elastic mesh material, that stretches to accommodate varying volumes of items stored in storage area 64. Attachment points 68 are optionally provided adjacent to storage area 64 for selectively mounting cover 66 over storage area 64.

Turning to the exterior of watercraft 10, and particularly to FIGS. 5 and 6, keel 20 normally includes substantially V-shaped portions 70 and 71 and a substantially flat portion 72. V-shaped portions 70 and 71 are defined by sidewalls 14 joining at relatively sharp angles whereas flat portion 72 is defined by sidewalls joining at angles approaching 180 degrees. V-shaped portions 70 and 71 typically aid watercraft 10 in traveling straight or “tracking” when in the water. Flat portion 72 normally spreads the buoyancy of watercraft 10 away from its centerline, thereby providing increased stability.

Flat portion 72 may include spaced apart grooves 74 extending from an end near stern 18 to an end near bow 16. As shown in FIG. 6, grooves 74 typically widen and diminish as they approach each end to transition into the hull. In the depicted examples, grooves 74 stiffen hull 12 and impart certain tracking qualities to watercraft 10. Grooves 74 may also affect other aspects of watercraft 10, such as its acceleration and friction in the water.

Watercraft 10 may be configured to be stacked on another watercraft and to receive another watercraft stacked thereon. In a preferred example, watercraft 10 is configured to stack with an identical watercraft 10; however, in other examples watercraft 10 is configured to stack with different watercraft. Stacked or nested watercraft typically require less space to store and facilitate compact transport.

To facilitate stacking, bulkhead 26 may be curved to compliment the shape of a keel and a hull of another watercraft. As shown in FIGS. 1-3, bulkhead 26 includes a depression 76 that generally compliments the shape of a keel and a hull of another watercraft. Bulkheads 26 are normally sufficient to support the entire weight of another watercraft. Further, gunwales 22 may be sloped inward to compliment the shape of a keel and a hull of another watercraft. In the support position, backrest 34 might interfere with stacking and it may accordingly be pivoted to the stowed position to facilitate stacking.

Watercraft 10 optionally includes a rudder mount 78 for mounting a rudder (not pictured) and a rigid mount 80 for securing items thereto. In some examples, a rudder is provided to help steer watercraft 10 and it is operatively connected to footrests 38 or to a hand operated steering mechanism. As shown in FIG. 3, rudder mount 78 rigidly attaches to stern 18 and includes a journal bearing 82 in which a journal attached to the rudder inserts therein. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, rigid mount 80 typically includes a bracket fixedly mounted to bow 16 in which a strap or any elongate, tension bearing member may couple.

As can be seen from the above description, a self-propelled watercraft may include an elongated buoyant hull having two side walls that join at a bow, a stern, and a keel on an underside of the watercraft, the sidewalls terminating as gunwales a spaced apart distance from the keel; an open deck separated by bulkheads into a plurality of open cavities; a cockpit formed in one of the open cavities from projections of the hull; and a seat formed from the hull in the cockpit having a substantially horizontal seating surface set at a height below the gunwales where at least a portion of a user's ribs lie below the gunwales when seated.

While embodiments of a self-propelled watercraft have been particularly shown and described, many variations may be made therein. This disclosure may include one or more independent or interdependent inventions directed to various combinations of features, functions, elements and/or properties, one or more of which may be defined in the following claims. Other combinations and sub-combinations of features, functions, elements and/or properties may be claimed later in this or a related application. Such variations, whether they are directed to different combinations or directed to the same combinations, whether different, broader, narrower or equal in scope, are also regarded as included within the subject matter of the present disclosure. An appreciation of the availability or significance of claims not presently claimed may not be presently realized. Accordingly, the foregoing embodiments are illustrative, and no single feature or element, or combination thereof, is essential to all possible combinations that may be claimed in this or a later application. Each claim defines an invention disclosed in the foregoing disclosure, but any one claim does not necessarily encompass all features or combinations that may be claimed.

Where “a” or “a first” element or the equivalent thereof is recited, such recitations include one or more such elements, neither requiring nor excluding two or more such elements. Further, ordinal indicators, such as first, second or third, for identified elements are used to distinguish between the elements, and do not indicate a required or limited number of such elements, and do not indicate a particular position or order of such elements unless otherwise specifically stated.

Inventions embodied in various combinations and subcombinations of features, functions, elements, and/or properties may be claimed through presentation of claims in a related application. Such claims, whether they are directed to different inventions or directed to the same invention, whether different, broader, narrower or equal in scope to the other claims, are also regarded as included within the subject matter of the present disclosure. 

1. A self-propelled watercraft comprising: an elongated buoyant hull having two side walls that join at a bow, a stern, and a keel on an underside of the watercraft, the sidewalls terminating as gunwales a spaced apart distance from the keel; an open deck separated by bulkheads into a plurality of open cavities; a cockpit formed in one of the open cavities from projections of the hull; and a seat formed from the hull in the cockpit having a substantially horizontal seating surface set at a height below the gunwales where at least a portion of a user's ribs lie below the gunwales when seated.
 2. The self-propelled watercraft of claim 1, wherein the cockpit includes a substantially vertical support surface extending from a distal end of the seating surface.
 3. The self-propelled watercraft of claim 2, wherein the cockpit includes a backrest pivotally mounted to the substantially vertical support surface of the seat.
 4. The self-propelled watercraft of claim 3, wherein the cockpit includes a backrest adjustment mechanism operatively connected to the backrest and the hull, the backrest adjustment mechanism being configured to pivot the backrest between a first position and a second position.
 5. The self-propelled watercraft of claim 1, wherein the cockpit includes a footrest operatively connected to the hull.
 6. The self-propelled watercraft of claim 5, wherein the cockpit includes a footrest adjustment mechanism operatively connected to the footrest and the hull, the footrest adjustment mechanism being configured to move the footrest between a first and a second position.
 7. The self-propelled watercraft of claim 1, wherein the cockpit includes a hatch extending into the hull.
 8. The self-propelled watercraft of claim 1, wherein the hull includes a storage area in one of the open cavities adjacent to the cockpit.
 9. The self-propelled watercraft of claim 1, wherein the hull has a length, a width, and a height, where the width is substantially between 1.7 and 1.9 times the height and the length is substantially between 8.5 and 10.0 times the height.
 10. The self-propelled watercraft of claim 1, wherein the hull includes an exterior surface having multiple chines.
 11. The self-propelled watercraft of claim 1, wherein the keel includes a central portion on an exterior of the hull that is substantially flat with elongate grooves that define channels extending in a direction substantially parallel to an imaginary line running from the bow to the stern of the watercraft, the grooves widening as they extend away from their midpoints.
 12. The self-propelled watercraft of claim 1, wherein the keel is substantially V-shaped near the bow and near the stern.
 13. The self-propelled watercraft of claim 1, wherein the bulkhead nearest the bow is curved in the middle to compliment the bottom of a hull of an other watercraft for stacking the other watercraft on top of the self-propelled watercraft.
 14. The self-propelled watercraft of claim 1, wherein the bulkhead nearest the bow is curved in the middle to compliment the bottom of the hull of an identical self-propelled watercraft for stacking the watercraft on top of one another.
 15. A self-propelled watercraft comprising: a buoyant hull having a bow, a stern opposite the bow, and a gunwale extending in a curved, substantially planar, and spaced apart path around the hull from the bow to the stern, the hull having an open deck separated by bulkheads defining a plurality of open cavities; a cockpit formed from projections of the hull in one of the open cavities; and a seat formed from the hull in the cockpit providing a seating surface.
 16. The self-propelled watercraft of claim 15, wherein the seat is positioned below the gunwale a distance where at least a portion of a user's ribs lie below the gunwale when the user is seated on the seat.
 17. The self-propelled watercraft of claim 15, wherein the cockpit includes: a backrest pivotally mounted to the seat; and a backrest adjustment mechanism operatively connected to the backrest and the hull, the backrest adjustment mechanism being configured to pivot the backrest between a first position and a second position.
 18. The self-propelled watercraft of claim 15, wherein the cockpit includes: a footrest operatively connected to the hull; and a footrest adjustment mechanism operatively connected to the footrest and the hull, the footrest adjustment mechanism being configured to move the footrest between a first and a second position.
 19. The self-propelled watercraft of claim 15, wherein the bulkhead nearest the bow is curved in the middle to compliment the bottom of a hull of an other watercraft for stacking the other watercraft on top of the self-propelled watercraft.
 20. The self-propelled watercraft of claim 19, wherein the bulkhead nearest the bow is curved in the middle to compliment the bottom of the hull of an identical self-propelled watercraft for stacking the watercraft on top of one another.
 21. The self-propelled watercraft of claim 15, wherein the hull includes a bottom on an exterior of the hull, the bottom having: a central portion that is substantially flat in the center with elongate grooves that define channels extending in a direction substantially parallel to an imaginary line running from the bow to the stern of the watercraft, the grooves widening as they extend away from their midpoints; and terminal portions flanking the central portion that are substantially V-shaped.
 22. A self-propelled watercraft comprising: a buoyant hull having an open deck and bulkheads defining a plurality of open cavities, the hull being bounded by an edge extending around the hull in a substantially horizontal plane; and wherein one or more of the bulkheads are configured to receive the hull of an other watercraft in a complimentary stacking arrangement.
 23. The self-propelled watercraft of claim 22, wherein the bulkhead is curved in the middle to compliment the hull of the other watercraft.
 24. The self-propelled watercraft of claim 22, wherein the one or more bulkheads are configured to receive the hull of an identical watercraft in a complimentary stacking arrangement.
 25. The self-propelled watercraft of claim 22, wherein one of the plurality of open cavities includes: a seat mounted below the edge; a backrest pivotally mounted to the seat; and a backrest adjustment mechanism operatively connected to the backrest and the hull, the backrest adjustment mechanism being configured to pivot the backrest between a first position and a second position.
 26. The self-propelled watercraft of claim 25, wherein the seat is positioned below the edge a distance where at least a portion of a user's ribs lie below the edge when the user is seated on the seat.
 27. The self-propelled watercraft of claim 22, wherein one of the plurality of open cavities includes: a footrest operatively connected to the hull; and a footrest adjustment mechanism operatively connected to the footrest and the hull, the footrest adjustment mechanism being configured to move the footrest between a first and a second position.
 28. The self-propelled watercraft of claim 22, wherein the hull includes a bottom on an exterior of the hull, the bottom having: a central portion that is substantially flat in the center with elongate grooves that define channels extending in a direction substantially parallel to an imaginary line running from the bow to the stern of the watercraft, the grooves widening as they extend away from their midpoints; and terminal portions flanking the central portion that are substantially V-shaped. 